GranJo's birthday fun!

It was our annual trek back to the QC to celebrate GranJo's birthday...always a good time and this weekend was no exception.  We packed all of our family fun into Saturday...and I mean PACKED!


Auntie Jen brought a super cool paper robot making kit.  Our crafty little man had lots of fun making his Picasso-esque robot.

The final product.  The kit was neat because the arms actually move on metal brads.  WAY cooler than arms that don't move!

After our robot making and some lunch.....we headed to catch the Channel Cat water taxi.  The boat makes 4 stops on the Mississippi River and has always been a favorite for Paul.  While we were waiting for Jason, there were 3 nice firefighters that came onto the dock.  Of course Paul had to give high fives and say thanks......and the firefighters asked if Paul wanted to check out their rescue boat.


I think it took about a millisecond for Paul to respond with an overwhelming YES!  You see, someone is really into Transformer Rescue Bots right now.  He loves that they roll to the rescue to people in trouble.  Combine the word RESCUE with BOAT and you have a winner in the heart of our little man.  These firefighters were so nice.  They took him aboard and let him pretend to drive the rescue boat.  Only 5 minutes out of their day, but it meant so much to Paul.

Not sure that anything could top the rescue boat adventure, but we headed down the dock to wait for the Channel Cat.  We ended up having to wait an additional 30 minutes because the boat was too full when we tried to board.  Here's what Paul thought about the extra wait!

I love this picture so much.  This will be a framer for sure (maybe with the lady in the background photoshopped out!).

And in keeping with the driving of the boat theme....someone got to sit in the captain's chair on the Channel Cat as well.  I just love people that have a heart for kids.

We got off the boat and headed to John Deere Commons to climb on some pretty green tractors.  Quick trip to the John Deere store to pick up a cute pink t-shirt...Miss L's first JD tee!  And then back to catch the boat.  Paul was chilling on the dock.

Amazing amount of lily pads on the river.

Hanging with his Unky Tiss!

A local favorite restaurant is called Sneaky Pete's.....a cowboy steakhouse.  We planned ahead and purchased some cheapo ties from Goodwill so the boys could all wear an ugly tie to dinner.  Since this is a cowboy steakhouse, they do not tolerate ties in their restaurant.....so if you wear one, they cut it off!  Literally, they cut it off your neck and hang it on the wall.  Their walls and ceiling beams are literally covered with neckties and notes from their former owners.  It's a kitchy tradition and one that we thought Paul would enjoy.


Here are the fellas with their ugly ties BEFORE we entered the restaurant.

Someone was getting pretty excited about his ugly tie.  He was pointing to the ceiling beams where he could see all the other ties.

And then the moment of truth.....our waitress was so great and really made a big deal for Paul.  He laughed and laughed.....and then laughed some more when she proceeded to cut off Big Daddy and Uncle Chris' ties too!

And still laughing.......this is post tie cutting.

Cool magnetic dudes that GranJo bought for Paul to play with.

With full bellies, we headed back to open presents and eat some cake and ice cream.  Did I mention how much we PACKED into this day!  Paul had to help GranJo open her presents....and try on her new gardening hat!  Goofball.

And here is the most beautiful cake in the world.  I can't take credit for making it, but I will take credit for having mad skills when it comes to making a phone call to a bakery!

It was a fun day and there were several times that we made comments that this is the last time we would celebrate GranJo's birthday as a group of 6.

One year ago

We saw this beautiful face for the very first time!

Jason and Paul were traveling when we got the call, so I had the privilege of setting eyes on her first and then scanned the photos to them as soon as I could!  We've been blessed with several updates during this long wait and we are so grateful for that.  We know we are in the home stretch now and can't wait to see her beautiful face IN PERSON very soon.  

Our home has been a flurry of activity as we prepare for the trip and the transition into a family of 4.  Lillie's chandelier is fully assembled and installed and looks fantastic.  Her new curtains are hung as well - I told you it has been a flurry!  The painters come on Tuesday to paint both kids room and their shared bathroom (and I threw the laundry room in for good measure).  Carpets will be steam cleaned on Friday and then it will be time to get the furniture back in and arranged.  Paul is looking forward to his room being completed as well....he loves his big boy room, but when we moved him in we didn't have the painting, etc done in there. 

Lots of fun stuff to do to finish the preparations!  Lillie, hold tight...we are coming soon!

Gotta love a good surprise update!

What a surprise when during a management meeting, I just happened to glance at my email and see this beautiful face staring up at me! Miss Lillie was in for her 21 month appointment and by the tears in her eyes, it appears she might have had a few shots. She is a healthy 26 pounds and 33 inches tall.

Once again, she is wearing clothing that we sent over...although I am sure she is warm in jeans and long sleeves during the warm summer! Someone said today that it feels like you could just reach out and grab her hand in this photo - and I agree!

Is that a glimmer of a smile under there?

And do I sense that she was tired of getting her picture taken?  She better get a bit more patient in the posing arena as we are pretty big picture takers!

Such a wonderful surprise today!  Can't wait to get our arms around her.....soon, sweet girl, very soon.

John Deere mania!

 It is that time of year...our annual trek back to the QC so we can sweat our backsides off at the John Deere Classic.  The weekend did not disappoint - it was hot, hot, hot and lots of fun.  We spent Saturday afternoon hanging out in the backyard at Gram and Pa's house.  Nothing like a wading pool to cool off on a hot day.

His new goggles......

Relaxing on his beach towel...getting cozy!

On Sunday, we headed to the JD Classic and Paul spent the day with Gram and Pa.  First up was a picnic by the river.

And then some quality time with the John Deere tractors.....Pa looks a bit concerned about Paul's driving skills!

And then it was Gram's turn on the Gator.

Love this boy.....

And love this pooch.....

We thought it would be fun to grill hotdogs over a real fire.....no worries that it was already 96 degrees outside, a little extra heat never hurt anyone!  Paul wasn't a fan of the smoke in his eyes.

And after dinner, we toasted a few marshmallows and had a few smores!

Monday brought a trip to spend time at GranJo's house.  Her friend Mary came for a visit with Paul.  GranJo bought Paul a great Korean folktale book and Mary knitted him a purple dragon that went with the story.  He is now obsessed with the dragon and has named him Baby.

We made funny face pizzas for lunch....ah, the look of concentration while he sauced up his pizza!

It was fun to celebrate our recent great news with our family in person.  I keep thinking about how things will change once Lillie comes home and how these trips will change in particular.  I look forward to seeing Lillie get as excited as Paul to see GranJo and Gram and Pa.

Some assembly required

 As we continue the mad dash to get everything ready in anticipation of a trip to Seoul very soon (hopefully)......we are working through all of the little details to finish Lillie's room.  The painters will be coming to paint both Lillie's room as well as Paul's room and their shared bath.  I finally settled on paint colors after much discussion and debate.


One of the things I really wanted for Lillie's room is a chandelier.  Something more sparkly than frilly.  I found the one that I wanted and ordered it.  How fun to come home to the box today!  Imagine my surprise when I opened it to find out that I had to attached each individual crystal to the frame.  There were about 110 crystals.  For real.


BEFORE

AFTER

My fingers were numb but I am quite pleased with the end product.  I think it will be the perfect amount of bling to her room.  And the fun of putting it all together continues......

One step closer

Dear Lillie - 


Today we got a wonderful email telling us that your emigration permit was submitted this week.  We have known you from afar for almost a year now and this is a big step forward in the home stretch of our journey to meet you. Our agency tells us that we should travel in about 8 weeks.....it is hard to believe that we might see your lovely face in just 2 short months.  In the meantime, rest assured that we are busy preparing for your arrival.


It was fun to tell our friends and family today since they are almost as excited as we are!  We can't wait to see your smile for the very first time.  Enjoy this time with your Korean omma and appa...I know their hearts are probably hurting as they approach the end of their time with you.


Keep the faith that we are coming for you....


Much love,
Mommy, Daddy and Paul

Tickle tickle

Can you count how many times he says the word tickle in this video?  And please pardon his lack of clothing - we debated whether to post but the cuteness factor won out.

Independence Day 2012

 It was a weird holiday this year since it fell mid-week....but we made the most of it and had lots of fun!  On Tuesday we were invited to visit Paul's friends Jack and Grace.  The twins are exactly 2 months older than Paul and they always have lots of fun together.


Their "serious" picture.

And the "silly" picture.

After a yummy dinner, it was time for some splash fun in their pool.

Getting his goggle groove on.  Still won't stick his whole face in the water, but he looks darn cute in the goggles!

We cleaned up and headed to catch some fireworks.  Last year was the first time we tried to take Paul to see fireworks and he promptly fell asleep about 30 minutes before they started.  In his defense, it doesn't get dark enough until close to 10pm and he is used to going to bed by 7:30pm.  This year he made it....and he loved it!  He complained they were loud but he oohed and aahed and has been talking about them all day today.

After hanging out at the house for a while this morning, we met our friends at the pool/splash park.  It was hot, hot, hot so the pool felt nice.  Paul has really enjoyed the city pool this year - this is the 3rd time we have gone.


Cool dude.

 SPLASH!

The pool is really designed for the younger kids which is nice.  The other city pool is geared towards the teenagers which is also nice.  This pool has a great slide that Paul now adores.  He can go by himself which is nice for us too.  Thought I would grab some video of him today.  I'll bet he went over 20 times today!

After our splash-filled fun, our friends came over for a bit of dinner.  I just love this picture of Kingston getting his yogurt on.....

It was a nice mid-week break to celebrate our country's independence!

Care package #4

 I can't believe it has been so long since we pulled together a care package. Not sure what my issue has been, but we are now sending #4.  She received her first in September, her second in December, her third in April and now hopefully her fourth in July.  It would be SO much easier if we could mail them directly to control the timing and really make it easier....but that would only be easier on us and not on our Korean agency so I understand why they do not allow it.  This little gem of a package will be hitting the mail to a family in Chicago who received EP approval last week.  Let's hope for a quick travel call for them...and for us so she can start wearing this cute summer apparel!  I had originally thought this might be out last package to send but now I am not so sure.  We'll just wait and see what the next month brings and decide if we can squeeze another package in!


A beautiful light denim dress with lacey trim.  Love this!

It was all about the bright colors this time.....loved this fish with the cute skirt.  Best part is that all of these skirts (and the dress above) come with bloomers built in.

You can't tell, but this shirt has a cute little bow on the neckline.  I love all of the hearts and sparkles.

There is something so cute about birdhouses and flowers....totally summertime!

Loved these shorts and then loved the butterfly shirt to go along with them.

Toothbrushes and toothpaste....along with some cute shades that should look great with most of the outfits.

Close up of the shades....a little bling and colorful zebra stripes.

And the BIG part of our package this time....an electronic photo album.  This allowed us to record our voices along with putting in new pictures of us.  It's cute but it is big to try to fit into a bag!  I made it happen, but I had to cheat a little.  The 1 gallon rule is likely closer to 1.5 gallons this time.  Shhh, don't tell!

Here's what we recorded on the album.  It's cheesy but it is hard to know what to say to her when you are recording yourself on an album like this.  Don't judge....

And the finished product....all I need to do is stick our translated letter in and tape the heck out of it so that it doesn't burst. Proud of this one - WAY more outfits in there then I thought I would actually fit.

And while I am getting pretty good at squishing lots of great things into ziploc bags, I look forward to a day where I don't have to.